If you’ve been stuck at a score of around 70 in the PTE Speaking section and are aiming to reach 90, you’re not alone. Many test-takers find it challenging to bridge this gap. The good news is that with the right strategy, practice, and mindset, it’s possible. This guide breaks down how you can go from a 70 to a perfect 90 in PTE Speaking in a practical and easy-to-understand way.

Understanding the PTE Speaking Scoring System

Before jumping into strategies, it’s important to know what the PTE Speaking section is testing. The key skills evaluated are:

• Pronunciation

• Oral Fluency

• Content

Each of these plays a vital role in your overall speaking score. When you’re scoring around 70, you’re likely doing many things right, but to reach 90, you need to fine-tune and polish every part of your performance.

1. Improve Your Pronunciation

What You Need to Know: You don’t need a British or American accent to score high. PTE looks for clear and understandable speech, not native-level pronunciation.

Tips to Improve:

• Mimic how native speakers speak and focus on intonation, stress, and rhythm.

• Record yourself speaking and compare it with the sample answers.

• Practice reading aloud daily using materials like TED Talks transcripts, news articles, or PTE speaking templates.

2. Boost Your Oral Fluency

What You Need to Know: Oral fluency in PTE is not about speaking fast but it’s about speaking smoothly without hesitation, repetition, or long pauses.

Tips to Improve:

• Use linking words and fillers wisely, for example in addition, however, moreover, to keep your speech flowing.

• Avoid overthinking. Stick to templates and phrases that make you comfortable.

• Don’t correct yourself mid-sentence. This interrupts fluency and lowers your score.

3. Master the Key Question Types

Each question type in PTE Speaking requires a different approach. Let’s break them down:

Read Aloud

• Practice pronunciation and pacing.

• Focus on syllable stress and pause naturally at commas and full stops.

• Underline difficult words and practice them before the test.

Repeat Sentence

• Use your short-term memory.

• Improve retention to memorize the word.

• Don’t worry if you miss a word; repeat whatever you remember fluently.

Describe Image

• Use a template, but avoid sounding robotic.

• Focus on key details, trends, and general patterns.

• Speak confidently even if you don’t fully understand the image; fluency and pronunciation matter more than accuracy.

Retell Lecture

• Note down keywords, not full sentences.

• Use connecting phrases like: The speaker mentioned, or The main point was

• Again, focus on fluency, structure, and using the words you hear in the lecture.

Answer Short Question

• This one’s straightforward. Just make sure you understand the question and give a one or two-word answer.

• Practice with PTE question banks to get familiar with common topics.

4. Use Templates Wisely

Templates are lifesavers in PTE Speaking. They provide structure and help you stay fluent. But don’t rely on them blindly. Customize them slightly to suit your speaking style so you sound more natural.

Example Template for Describe Image:

The image shows various data/information about [topic]. According to the image, the most noticeable feature is [point]. Additionally, we can observe that [another point].

Overall, the image gives a clear idea about [summary].

Practice these until they become second nature.

5. Practice with Feedback

Why It Matters: You can practice for hours, but if you’re not correcting your mistakes, your score may not improve.

What to Do:

• Use AI-based practice tools like the Sumlingo platform to practice for the speaking module.

• Join study groups or get a coach if you need personalized help.

• Track your weak areas and target them in practice sessions.

6. Train in Real Test Conditions

Often, test anxiety affects fluency and pronunciation. Simulate real exam conditions as much as possible:

• Time yourself strictly.

• Practice in a noisy environment if possible.

• Use a microphone similar to what PTE uses.

By making practice feel like the real thing, you’ll be more comfortable on test day.

7. Focus on Confidence and Consistency

Reaching 90 isn’t about speaking perfect English, it’s about performing consistently well in every section. That requires:

• Regular practice daily, 30–60 minutes

• Believing in your improvement

• Avoiding overcorrection and self-doubt

Even small daily improvements will add over time.

Jumping from 70 to 90 in PTE Speaking is achievable. The secret lies in smart practice, mastering the test format, and developing a confident, fluent speaking style. Work on your weak points one by one, track your progress, and stay consistent.